SMUMC Church Council May. 22, 2019

Attendance

  • Amy Chai, Chair

  • Nickie Moreno Howard, Assoc Pastor

  • Susan Ely, At Large

  • Bill Culbertson, Finance

  • Angela Culbertson, SPRC

  • Carolyn Andrukonis, Lay Leader

  • Karen Chevalier, Lay Leader

  • Nancy Cappel, Music

  • Ann Donnelly, UMW

  • Amanda Hill, UMW

  • Bob Hull, At Large

  • Andrew Gay, At Large

  • Brad Oswalt, Trustees

  • Gary Strohm, Trustees

  • Christine Nelson, Worship

  • Josh Harrison, Children's Council

  • Bruce Thomas, UMM

  • Jim King, At Large

  • Todd Creekman, Treasurer

  • John Alexander, Vice Chair

  • Lyle Minter, Lay Member Annual Conference

  • Jacob Nelson

  • Mandy Lloyd

  • Christine Moser

  • Kara Stuebing

  • Colleen Blessing

  • Fran DelVecchio

  • Debbie Throckmorton

  • Louisa Moore

  • Nancy Hall

  • Martha Lee

  • Glenna Luttrell

  • Annette Landers

  • Vi Hauenstein

  • Bill Hauenstein

  • Judi La Marte

  • Sara Karely

  • Salena Staley

  • Karen Cogan

Agenda

Welcome & Introductions Amy

Everyone welcomed and introductions

Opening Prayer Nickie

Nickie introduced the instructions for focused conversations. Scripture Matthew 12:9-15 read and discussed. Opening prayer prayed.

Worship Schedule Recommendation – Vote Amy/Mandy

Motion made to require a two-thirds majority vote of the Council members present to pass the issue of changing the worship schedule. The vote will be conduct as a written ballot. This will require 14 of the 20 council members present. Motion made to change the worship schedule to 8:30 Traditional, 9:45 Sunday School, 11am Modern Worship.

A focused discussion occurred about the motion. This a series of questions creating an open discussion led by Nickie. All attendees (Council and visitors) allowed to participate in the discussion.

20 Church council members were present and voted. 17 voted for the motion to change the service times. 3 voted against the motion. 0 abstained.

Approval of March Minutes Amy

Motion made and minutes approved.

Way Forward Conversations Update Karen/Carolyn

UMC Next (umcnext.com) had a three day meeting. Ten people from every annual conference attended. The ~600 attendees agreed to four principles.

  • We long to be passionate followers of Jesus Christ, committed to a Wesleyan vision of Christianity, anchored in scripture and informed by tradition, experience and reason as we live a life of personal piety and social holiness.

  • We commit to resist evil, injustice and oppression in all forms and toward all people and build a church which affirms the full participation of all ages, nations, races, classes, cultures, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities.

  • We reject the Traditional Plan approved at General Conference 2019 as inconsistent with the gospel of Jesus Christ and will resist its implementation.

  • We will work to eliminate discriminatory language and the restrictions and penalties in the Discipline regarding LGBTQ persons. We affirm the sacred worth of LGBTQ persons, celebrate their gifts, and commit to being in ministry together.

    The road of how we get there is different for the churches; it is contextual for the church. Engaging with a facilitator to host informational meetings on how the church membership wants to move forward. This wouldn't be a decision making nor a town hall forum. It would be discussions to learn and discern.

Reports

Trustees Brad

Mention of Sunday's incident with person trespassing on Sunday. Reminder that everyone needs to lock and secure the doors when they need to leave the church.

SPRC Angela

Vocal choir directors are being recruited. No likely candidates at this point. Carol will lead the choirs until we find a person to lead the choirs. P/T Youth Coordinate is being recruited. Have at least one viable candidate. Planning for Nancy's retirement continues.

Finance Bill

Through April, we are dollars ahead. Our current rate of giving (income) is lower than spending (expense) when projected to the end of the calendar year.

Open Forum

Martha recommended we call Wednesday night suppers just "Wednesday Summer Supper" instead of "Wednesday on the Lawn" as dinner is not eaten on the lawn. It just causes confusion. Discussion occurred about scheduling the Wednesday suppers.

Joys and Concerns

Shared.

Closing Prayer & Adjournment

Prayed and closed.

Church CouncilJoe Zapf